A German rococo ivory painted carved beechwood sofa after a design by Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt II

with a serpentine padded back and sides above a serpentine padded seat, on two pairs of cabriole front legs and four further cabriole legs terminating in scrolled feet, the whole carved with flowers, leaves and rocaille; painting refreshed, restorations and replacements 

By repute Count Potocki, Lancut Castle, Poland-see fig.1.

Joints sound and sturdy. Painting worn as visible from photograph. Construction cracks at joints, which can easily be filled. The rear seat rail looks a later replacement. Later strengtheners beneath the seat. Evidence of re-pegging. The painting underneath which is revealed in places is of a pink colour. In otherwise good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Jerzy Zurawski & Zdzislaw Postepski, Lancut, 1975
H.Kreisel, Die kunst des deutschen möbels, Vol. II, München, 1968, fig. 741, for a design by Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt II, engraved by Johann Wilhelm Meil, circa 1753, reproduced here in fig.2. It shows a design for a related sofa with double front legs which is a highly unusual feature.

Although the sofa is Louis XV in inspiration, it is clearly not of French origin. It is not possible however, to find a definitive attribution for this piece.

Furthermore, the sofa is also close to a design for a sofa by François Cuvilliés etched and engraved by Charles-Albert de Lespilliez, Munich Germany, representing the Decoration de Lambris pour un Cabinet, in Dessins de Lambris nouvellement inventés, reproduced here in fig. 3.
The Hoppenhaupt Brothers:
The brothers Hoppenhaupt, Johann Michael (1709-69) and Johann-Christian (1719-56), succeded Nahla as  cabinet-makers to the Prussian court in the early 1750's. They are accredited with the design  of various pieces at Sanssouci and Charlottenburg. Johann Michael left Berlin at the beginning of the Seven Years War and working independently acquired an international reputation exporting pieces to the Russian and Swedish Courts. Both men had trained as sculptors and their work is characterised by the exceptional fluidity of the carving.

Johann Michael published between 1751 and 1755, numerous ornamental and other designs engraved by J.W. Miel, for chimney-pieces, chairs and boiseries with rococo scrolls and commodes, some of which were fantastically elaborate, which in turn may have derived from the designs of Cuvilliés. 

François Cuvilliés (1695-1768): 
He was of Flemish origin and one of the leading German rococo designers in the 18th century. He became Court architect in Munich in 1728 and was responsible for the interiors in the Residenz Munich (1729-37) and the Amalienburg  in the Park of Nymphenburg near Munich (1734-39). From 1738 until his death, he published a series of designs for ornament, boiseries and furniture sometimes derived from publications of Lajoue and other French contemporaries.